General Motors just announced that it's recalling another 3.16 million cars for "ignition" problems, which will raise their total number of vehicles recalled in the United States to above 20 million cars. They've basically recalled everything and it's cost them $2 billion.
Here's the peculiar (or perverse) part, GM has two ongoing and different ignition issues: those related to the Cobalt/Ion deaths and the ignition issue in the Camaro.
Right now it looks like this issue is the former with GM saying "the ignition switch may be unable to handle extra weight hanging on a slotted key." It should be noted that this isn't the same ignition switch, this appears to be a different one with a similar issue.
And here's a little nugget from Nathan Bomey, who got GM to confirm that Ray DeGiorgio — the guy fired for approving the Cobalt ignition — was involved in approving this design as well.
The vehicles include the 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, 2000-2005 Cadillac Deville, 2004-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2006-2008 Chevy Monte Carlo, and the 2006 to 2014 Chevy Impala.
People are being asked to remove extra weight from their key chains and drive only with the ignition key. Eventually, they'll be given new key inserts that'll prevent this from happening.
And that's not all, the full release at GM has these nice little additions:
In addition to the ignition key recall, GM also announced U.S. recalls for 165,770 vehicles in these five actions:
- 68,887 model year 2013-14 Cadillac ATS and 21,863 model year 2014 Cadillac CTS sedans. In certain vehicles with automatic transmissions, the shift cable may not be fully secured to the shifter bracket or transmission bracket. If the shift cable comes out of the brackets, the driver may not be able to shift the transmission in or out of gear. GM is unaware of any crashes or injuries related to this condition.
- 57,192 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 GMC Sierra HD to inspect for proper attachment of power steering hose clamps to the power steering pump. If the vehicle is driven with the clamp unattached, the hose may disconnect from the pump or gear, causing a rapid loss of power steering fluid. This will result in loss of power steering assist and Hydro Boost powered brakes without warning. The vehicle would revert to manual brakes and manual steering. GM knows of no crashes or injuries from the condition. Dealers are to inspect power steering hose clamps in two locations to ensure they are properly attached.
- 16,932 model year 2011 Cadillac CTS sedans with AWD. On some vehicles, a gasket leak where the constant velocity joint meets the rear propeller shaft may cause the rear propeller shaft to separate or become loose, making contact with the vehicle floor above and causing the rollover sensor to deploy the roof rail air bags. GM is aware of 15 unintended deployments, but injury data is unclear.
- 712 model year 2014 Chevrolet Corvettes with optional Competition Sport Seats, because an unbelted child and door trim may block the passenger seat side air bag vent in a deployment. Dealers will replace the current air bag with a redesigned version. GM is unaware of any crashes or injuries related to this condition, but advises customers to not allow small children in the front seat until the vehicle is serviced.
- 184 model year 2014-15 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups with vinyl floors and accessory all-weather floor mats purchased new with the vehicle. The mats can slip under the driver's feet because the vinyl floors have no attachments to secure them in place. Customers are advised take the floor mats to their dealer for a full refund. GM is unaware of any crashes or injuries related to the mats.
According to The Detroit News that brings GM's total cost estimates to $2 billion in the first two quarters.